My friends and I are thinking of starting BFG maybe as a large campaign tied in with Epic once we are used to the rules. We all like Epic and the 40k universe but it's hard to get a feel for how BFG would play just from the rules but they look good. Is it as good as it looks and anything we should be aware of before throwing our money at it? Any info from regular players appreciated.

Ahem, far from a regular player at the moment (3rd match this year end of the month)   .

But I can say am I a veteran in the game plus I am the editor of the Battlefleet Gothic fanzine Warp Rift.

How is Battlefleet Gothic?
Cool & Fun. Immense!

The game is very easy to get into. The rules are straight forward and except some minor issues easy to understand and follow. Though as always the game learns itself better when being played.

The tactics on the other hand are harder to master but that makes the game challenging.

Another plus point is the fact the game is quite cheap* to get into. For under 100 pound you have a good 1500 point fleet. 1500pts makes for good decent battles between fleets including a battleship. Smaller games can be played from that on easily. To get more points into a fleet should only be done to gain more variety and play the occasional larger battle (+2000pts).

*Cheap compared to 40k for example.

As said 1500 is good but if you are looking into it you could start well enough with fleets around 1000 points.
If you manage you should try to buy a starter box through ebay or alike. Although the started box has an outdated rulebook it still brings you all dice, markes and 4 Imperial Navy Cruisers and 4 Chaos cruisers. Awesome in itself.
The new rulebook, plus Armada plus a couple of other official pdf's are available on the Specialist Games site.

As you said you are trying to go into space combined with Epic, so I make from that you'll add fleets to match your Epic force. BFG is big keep that in mind. For example: a 'simple' Space Marine strike cruiser (145pts) carries a full company of Space Marines...(keep in mind unlike in 40k Space Marines in BFG aren't the greatest in space).

Feel free to ask questions! And welcome to this forum and game!

best regards,
Horizon

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We always play BFG games at 750 or 1000pts, anything bigger tends to take forever.

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I love BFG - it's the game I play most often. It's a game that rewards thinking ahead, and can really punish mistakes.
I'd say buy cruisers and battleships in preference to escorts - escorts are useful, but die easy.

BFG is a great campaign game too - you can get very attached to a paeticular ship, and find yourself desparately trying to keep it in one piece!

All up, I love this game, and would highly recommend it.
Regards,
Reaver

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Well used escorts are a bane to the enemy. But it also depends on the race you are playing with. Corsair Eldar function best with escorts only and Chaos can do without them easy.

We always play BFG games at 750 or 1000pts, anything bigger tends to take forever.

_________________
Light at the Horizon.

Warp Rift
Project Distant Darkness
Eldar MMS

GothiComp Hall of Fame
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=19176

That really sounds like a game we could get into, I'm really impressed with the models and the prospect of modelling some planets really appeals.

Yup.

Check out the Gothicomp submissions pages as well. Great ships! (However I think you've already seen it).

_________________
Light at the Horizon.

Warp Rift
Project Distant Darkness
Eldar MMS

GothiComp Hall of Fame
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=19176

I got into 40K first off, and loved it, and still do. I saw a few ships in GW once and being intrested I bought a few, not relising at the time what they were for. I put them together and forgot about them, and went on with 40k. I recently got back into BFG, BIG time and have had a few games against my mate and myself. I know sad, but good way to learn if you cant play someone else that often, also I cant help myself as its a really addictive game and so..SO refreshing to play and so simple and stright foward.

None of this cover saves, and these guys have that, and he gets that, and what weapons kill what, and so on.  

I wont cover the points as all said above, but BFG is defenitly a game to get into. If not you can always just play with them when no one is watching

I consider myself an 'old hand' at most of these games.  I started playing BFG as soon as it was released.  I'm still playing it, and introducing new folks to it, whenever I can.  Because it is playable.  Some quibble about this rule or that, but even the designers told us players to set up "house rules" to meet our expectations.  Start out small, a couple of cruisers, or even three or four, if you can handle it.  Try out all the rules, then add escorts and squadrons and advanced rules.  For myself, the advanced rules make the game.  Don't be afraid of big games.  We have 3000, 4000, and 5000 points on a side (takes a big table like my 6x12 foot)but split up the work with more players. Ever had a 'long weekend' game? Fantasy or Epic or 40K can all run long with larger forces.  We like BFG that much, that long weekend games are the norm here.  We also do the 400 or 700 point games, using my three 4x6 tables for six of us.  If you need any ideas, most of us here have plenty and to spare, about most any part of the game!  I hope you guys have as much fun as i do.
Later,
G.F.